Following the success of the Seal, BYD Malaysia has launched another premium electric SUV — the Sealion 7. This SUV is designed to go head-to-head against Tesla’s best-selling SUV, the Tesla Model Y. But the real question is: does BYD truly have what it takes to challenge Tesla? Let’s find out.
In terms of looks, the Sealion is one of the better-looking BYD models currently on the market. In my opinion, it actually looks better than the Seal sedan, even though many people appreciate the Seal’s design. BYD has balanced the proportions of the Sealion very well, which helps to disguise the size of the vehicle when viewed from afar. At the front, the Sealion retains certain design similarities with the Seal, but BYD’s designers have successfully adapted them to suit the SUV’s overall appearance. 
Complementing the front design, the Sealion features distinctive headlights that give it a sporty and futuristic look. At night, they provide excellent illumination, allowing the driver to see far ahead clearly. At the rear, the Sealion is equipped with full-width LED taillights that nicely complement the front design, giving the car a sleek overall appearance. The rear also features a coupe-like sloping roofline, which helps air flow smoothly over the vehicle. Lastly, the Sealion rides on 20-inch wheels wrapped in 235/45 R20 tyres. While the wheels suit the Sealion’s design reasonably well, from certain angles they may appear slightly small relative to the vehicle’s body size. 
Stepping inside, the Sealion immediately feels more premium than other BYD models. The interior looks more elegant than any BYD that came before it, with a solid feel and good overall build quality. BYD has used plenty of soft-touch materials to enhance the premium feel throughout the cabin. While this premium touch is appreciated, the Sealion still carries the familiar “typical China car” dashboard layout. The dashboard consists of a 10.25-inch instrument cluster paired with a 15.6-inch infotainment screen — a layout commonly found in many Chinese cars currently flooding the Malaysian market. 
Although some of the materials around the dashboard feel premium, there is some inconsistency. Certain switchgear used by BYD feels slightly on the cheaper side. In particular, the wiper and indicator stalks do not feel as premium as the rest of the dashboard. Personally, my biggest complaint is the positioning of the centre air-conditioning vents. BYD has placed them too low for my liking, making it difficult to direct airflow toward my face on hot days. Even at their highest adjustment, the air barely reaches my face.
Coming back to the instrument cluster, the Sealion features the largest instrument cluster seen in any BYD model so far. However, in keeping with BYD’s family design identity, the graphics are identical to those found in the BYD Seal. While the design is merely acceptable, it functions well for its purpose. As for the infotainment system, it differs slightly from earlier BYD models. BYD has done away with the rotating screen, which is a welcome change. However, the home screen graphics still resemble those found in many other Chinese cars on the market. 
The infotainment system supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard, with wireless connectivity available — a definite plus. To enhance entertainment, the Karaoke function also makes its way into the Sealion. Since the introduction of the M6, this feature has been included in all BYD models. All that’s required is the purchase of a wireless microphone. When paired with the 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, karaoke sessions are even more enjoyable. On top of that, the Sealion comes with a 460-degree camera system, making it easier to park this large vehicle in tight spaces. There is also a 50W wireless charging pad that actively cools your device using built-in ventilation. 
Up front, the Sealion offers comfortable seats and a tall driving position, as expected from an SUV. The seats are designed more for comfort than sporty driving, as they don’t hug the driver tightly. That said, the leather upholstery provides enough grip to prevent excessive sliding during spirited cornering. Comfort extends to the rear seats as well. Rear passengers will not complain about legroom or headroom, as there is plenty of space even when the front seats are set to my driving position. The rear bench is fairly large, though it may not be as spacious as the one found in the Xpeng G6. 
Rear passengers also enjoy several added creature comforts, including two centre air vents, one USB-A port, and one USB-C port. A large panoramic roof allows plenty of light into the cabin, making the interior feel airy. BYD has done well here by including a large sunshade that effectively blocks out the sun, helping to keep the cabin cool — something Malaysian buyers have long been asking for. Lastly, the Sealion offers a generous 520-litre boot, which is respectable for its segment. The rear seats also fold flat, allowing longer items to be carried with ease.
As the Premium variant, the Sealion is equipped with a single electric motor mounted at the rear, making it a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. The motor is powered by an 82.5 kWh battery, offering a theoretical range of 542 km based on the NEDC cycle. The electric motor produces 390 kW and 690 Nm of torque, enabling the Sealion to accelerate from 0–100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
This single-motor setup suits the Sealion’s more relaxed, wafty driving character. Power delivery feels just right, allowing passengers to enjoy a comfortable and smooth launch. Unlike the Performance variant, there’s no aggressive “kick in the back” acceleration. I believe most drivers will feel perfectly comfortable with the Premium variant. During my time with the car, I achieved an average energy consumption of 18 kWh/100 km. Based on this figure, the Sealion is capable of covering around 450 km on a single charge in real-world conditions.
In terms of suspension, the Sealion rides on the firmer side compared to other BYD models, giving it a more continental-like driving feel. However, it’s still not as refined as true European rivals. Over larger bumps, the rear tends to hop slightly. To be honest, I would have preferred this sportier suspension setup on the Seal rather than the Sealion. The steering feels very direct but lacks feedback. It also feels light at higher speeds, which isn’t particularly confidence-inspiring, though the directness does help compensate.
In typical BYD fashion, regenerative braking remains on the weaker side. While overall stopping power is decent, I would prefer a more noticeable transition between regenerative and physical braking. This is an area where BYD could still improve. On the safety front, the Sealion is well equipped with a comprehensive suite of modern Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). One positive aspect is that the system allows ADAS functions to remain switched off once the driver chooses to disable them. On the downside, the Driver Monitoring System tends to beep excessively, even when briefly checking the instrument cluster. 
Standard ADAS features include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA), Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), Predictive Collision Warning (PCW), Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR), Intelligent Speed Limit Information (ISLI), Intelligent Speed Limit Control (ISLC), Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA), Front Cross Traffic Brake (FCTB), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Cross Traffic Brake (RCTB), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Door Open Warning (DOW), High Beam Assist (HMA), and Driver Attention Warning (DAW).
At the end of the day, the Sealion Premium is priced very competitively at RM183,800. It allows more buyers to experience a level of luxury that feels beyond its price point. As an electric vehicle, the Sealion offers plenty of qualities that suit a wide range of lifestyles. It looks more expensive than it actually is and provides enough real-world range for longer journeys. Despite facing stiff competition in a crowded segment, the BYD Sealion is certainly worth considering.
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